Executive Director, Brand and Fan Marketing

Chicago Bulls; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Life insurance

401(k) with employer match

Flexible spending accounts

Paid time off

Game tickets and parking

Gym access

Snacks and meals

Pet insurance

Job summary

The Chicago Bulls are seeking an Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing to lead the strategy and execution of our brand and fan-engagement initiatives in Chicago. You will guide lifecycle marketing, fan development, partnerships, and cross-department programs to grow ticket sales and deepen loyalty.

This senior role requires 15+ years in marketing or brand strategy, strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and the ability to manage large budgets.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in marketing or brand strategy.
• Experience in lifecycle marketing/CRM.
• Strong leadership with 2-3 direct reports.
• Experience managing large budgets and departmental operations.
• Data-driven with KPI goals and measurement.
• Sports or entertainment experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for brand & fan marketing.
• Develop long-term strategic plans for Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development.
• Lead strategy for tentpole and marquee activations to drive brand growth.
• Develop fan engagement strategies rooted in audience insights and brand values.
• Support marketing strategy to boost ticket sales.
• Drive initiatives to support corporate partnership sales and activation.
• Develop youth marketing strategy and other fan development efforts.
• Align initiatives across departments (ticketing, partnerships, events).
• Drive fan acquisition and deepen existing fan relationships.
• Oversee brand assets and in-arena and retail channel usage.
• Report on revenue and brand value with analytics teams.
• Lead staff and marketing administration functions.

Skills

Brand strategy

Team leadership

Budget management

Data analysis

Stakeholder collaboration

Lifecycle marketing

KPI & measurement

Job description

Job Type Full-time

Description Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing

Responsibilities:

• Set Strategic Direction
• Develop long-term strategic plans to guide and shape the work of the Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams
• Lead strategy and planning for tentpole and marquee activations that drive brand growth and value, collaborating alongside key stakeholders
• Develop and implement fan engagement strategies rooted in audience insights, behavioral data, and brand values, aimed at driving affinity, loyalty, and conversion
• Play pivotal role in developing overarching marketing strategy to support ticket sales
• Serve key leadership role in driving collaborative efforts that develop programs and initiatives to support corporate partnership sales and activation
• Drive the development of the organization’s youth marketing strategy and other priority fan development strategies
• Grow and Manage Brand Assets and Initiatives
• Ensure org-wide alignment on initiatives that span across multiple departments (e.g., ticketing products, partnership sales and activation, theme nights, cause marketing efforts)
• Accountable for fan development initiatives that drive and scale fan acquisition as well as deepen and drive value from existing fan relationships
• Accountable for the Bulls “institutional/ owned channel assets” (i.e., retail drops, in-arena signage) to ensure we are maximizing their use and impact
• Drive Measurable Results
• Identify, test and scale data capture opportunities to bring fans into the Bulls ecosystem and work cross-departmentally to develop approaches to report attributable revenue and brand value
• Champion tying marketing efforts to measured results, and work with the Business Strategy & Analytics team to drive forward fan development data insights & measurement strategies
• Develop Staff and Lead Marketing Admin Functions
• Manage, mentor, and develop full-time staff members encouraging a collaborative and inclusive environment
• Represent and support the Brand & Integrated marketing team in larger org-wide working group settings
• Manage the brand & integrated budgets, monitor expenses closely to maximize results driven by the team

Qualifications:

• An ideal candidate will have high degrees of professionalism, sensitivity, and integrity, combined with excellent attention to detail and organizational and interpersonal skills (oral and written). You should have a strong mix of the following:
• A minimum of 15 years of proven experience in marketing, brand strategy, or a related field. Prior experience in lifecycle marketing/ CRM. Experience in sports or entertainment is a plus
• Proven team leadership and significant people management experience with at least 2-3 direct reports
• Experience handling large budgets and departmental operations
• Strong familiarity with data capture, digital channels, creative development, and events
• A strategic thinker who is equally comfortable in high-level planning and hands-on execution, with keen attention to detail and timelines
• An analytical thinker who views marketing as a business driver and embraces KPI goal setting and marketing measurement to drive their areas of the business
• Profound understanding of marketing principles and standard methodologies
• Strong ability to adapt to changing timelines and ad hoc requests
• A supportive, motivated, experienced team leader that inspires others towards continuous learning and success
• Excellent teammate, with positive energy and proven ability to collaborate with internal departments and external partners
• Ability to multi-task and remain organized and motivated both individually and as a team member in a fast-paced and performance-based environment
• Possess an uncompromised ability to protect the confidentiality/privacy of others and company documents and records
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a track record of influencing cross-functional stakeholders and senior leaders
• Ability to contribute to and build a balanced, productive work environment with positive relationships, and follow through on duties as assigned
• Initiative and dedication to challenge self and continually strive for improvement

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual base salary range for this position is $130,000 - $155,000. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

The Chicago Bulls offer competitive benefits and perks. Benefits for full-time employees include, but are not limited to:

• Competitive employee premiums for healthcare, dental, and vision coverage.
• 100% paid premium for basic employee life insurance and disability coverage.
• 401(k) with employer match plus an annual discretionary contribution.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care, as well as commuter benefits.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, holidays, days of significance, and parental leave.
• Complimentary home game tickets, parking, and gym access.
• Complimentary snacks and lunch. If working games or events, dinner will also be complimentary.
• Pet insurance.

The Chicago Bulls offer workplace flexibility; however, full-time remote work is not available for this position. Candidates must currently reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the Chicagoland area. This role requires scheduling flexibility, including the ability to work evenings and weekends as business needs require.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.